In this review, we will be comparing Lumina CI and A135C, two Passive Center Channel speakers from Sonus Faber and JBL. Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Sonus Lumina Center I and JBL Stage A135C first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
What size room are the Sonus Lumina Center I and JBL Stage A135C speakers good for?
The size of the room in which you are planning to use these loudspeakers is an important decision factor. Here we have compared their suitability to various sizes of environments considering their size and max power parameters:
In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the Sonus Lumina Center I and JBL Stage A135C compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these loudspeakers is the better choice for you.
**This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking
through my links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Drivers
Both Lumina CI and A135C are 2-way speakers.
Driver |
Sonus Lumina Center I |
JBL Stage A135C |
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
Tweeter
|
1.15-inch
|
1-inch
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
Woofer
|
2 x 4.75-inch
|
6 x 3-inch
|
Lumina CI features a 1.15" high definition DAD Tweeter and 2 x 4.75" paper cone Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2000 Hz. On the other hand, the A135C features a 1" aluminum dome with HDI (High Definition Imaging) waveguide technology Tweeter and 6 x 3" polycellulose Woofer .
Frequency Response
Lumina CI has a frequency range of 65-24k Hz whereas A135C has a frequency range of 75-40k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 65Hz, the Lumina CI can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the A135C's min frequency of 75Hz.
Below graphs depict how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average values of the Min and Max Frequencies of other speakers in the Center Channel class in our database.
Low Frequency
Center Channel Speakers
High Frequency
Center Channel Speakers
None of these speakers achieves full range experience which is commonly agreed as 20Hz-20kHz. In order to achieve lower lows / deeper bass, we recommend you pair these with a subwoofer. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Impedance and Sensitivity
Lumina CI is a 4 ohms speaker compared to the A135C which has a nominal impedance of 6 ohms. Lower impedance speakers, especially the ones that are rated at 4 ohms may put more pressure on the amplifier unit especially when played at high volume levels, so make sure the amp you pair with the Lumina CI can provide this impedance level.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. Lumina CI sensitivity is rated at 87 dB and the A135C's is rated at 90 dB. This 3 dB difference makes the JBL Stage A135C a more sensitive speaker compared to Sonus Lumina Center I, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Center Channel Speakers
Power Range
Power
range is the range of input power in watts RMS that a loudspeaker is designed to handle. While using an amplifier within this range ensures the nominal performance , inputting a power that is higher than the max wattage can result in a damaged speaker.
Lumina CI can handle a max power of 150 watts RMS from the amp the whereas Lumina CI has a max power handling value of 100 watts RMS , 50 watts less than the A135C.
Keep in mind that a higher max power handling value doesn't necessarily make that a louder speaker
compared to a lower max handling speaker. Loudness or the sound level is also impacted by parameters
such as Impedance, sensitivity and system efficiencies.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
Lumina CI features Binding post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. A135C has a 5-way post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Lumina CI has a front firing port whereas A135C has a side firing ports. Sonus Lumina Center I's front-firing port gives more flexibility in placement in regards to proximity to walls compared to JBL Stage A135C with its rear-firing port.
Physical Specs
Size of a speaker can sometimes become an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare Sonus Lumina Center I's and JBL Stage A135C's external dimensions. Sonus Lumina Center I has external dimensions of 169.0 x 524.0 x 213.0mm ( 6.6 x 20.6 x 8.4inch) whereas JBL Stage A135C has external dimensions of 105.0 x 747.0 x 186.0mm ( 4-1/8 x 29-3/8 x 7-5/16inch) .
JBL Stage A135C is 64mm shorter and 27mm less deeper than Sonus Lumina Center I but it is also 223mm wider.
Base Surface Area Comparison
Base surface area of a loudspeaker may become a determining factor when the space in your room or desk is limited.
The base surface area of the Sonus Lumina Center I is approximately 1116.1cm2 / 173.0inch2 and base area of the JBL Stage A135C is approximately 1389.4cm2 / 215.4inch2. The Lumina CI requires 20% less surface area than the A135C which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.
Weight Comparison The weight of a loudspeaker can become an important factor if you need to move and reposition the unit often. Weight of a speaker can also "sometimes" be an indicator of the rigidity of the enclosure and the quality of the internal components used. The Sonus Lumina Center I weighs 7.60kg / 16.7lbs and the JBL Stage A135C weighs 7.46kg / 16.4lbs. This makes the Lumina CI 2% heavier than the A135C.
Here is a comparison of how Lumina CI and A135C's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Center Channel class.
Weight
All Center Channel Speakers
What's in the Box of Sonus Lumina Center I?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Lumina CI:
1 Center Channel Speaker1 Manual 2 Jumpers1 Grilles 1 Fabric dust guards
What's in the Box of JBL Stage A135C?
Here are the items that come with the A135C:
Center-channel loudspeakerGrille4 Leveling feet4 Rubber feetOwners ManualWarranty Card
Woofer Size |
4.75 inches
vs
3 inches
|
Larger woofer |
Low Frequency Response |
65 Hz
vs
75 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
Bi-Amping and Bi-Wiring |
Yes
vs
No
|
Allows bi-amping and bi-wiring connections |
Base Surface Area |
1116cm2 (524x213mm)
vs
1389cm2 (747x186mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
Max Input Power |
150 watts
vs
100 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
Sensitivity |
90 dB
vs
87 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
Nominal Impedance |
6 ohms
vs
4 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
Number of Woofers |
6
vs
2
|
More woofers |
High Frequency Response |
40k Hz
vs
24k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
Height |
105mm
vs
169mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
Price per pair* |
300USD
vs
699USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
General |
Sonus Faber Lumina Center I |
JBL Stage A135C |
Brand |
Sonus Faber |
JBL |
Speaker Type |
Center channel speaker |
Low-profile center channel speaker |
Power Range |
30-100 watts |
20-150 watts |
Sensitivity |
87 dB |
90 dB |
Impedance |
4 ohms |
6 ohms |
Frequency Response |
65-24k Hz |
75-40k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
Woofer Quantity |
2 |
6 |
Woofer Size |
4.75" |
3" |
Woofer Composition |
paper cone |
polycellulose |
Tweeter Size |
1.15" |
1" |
Tweeter Type |
high definition DAD |
dome with HDI (High Definition Imaging) waveguide technology |
Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
Midrange Driver |
No |
N/A" |
Crossover Frequency |
2000 Hz |
n/a |
Firing Direction |
front |
side |
Physical Specs |
|
|
Height |
169.0mm (6.7") |
105.0mm (4.1") |
Width |
524.0mm (20.6") |
747.0mm (29.4") |
Depth |
213.0mm (8.4") |
186.0mm (7.3") |
Weight |
7.60kg (16.7lbs) |
7.46kg (16.4lbs) |
Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
Finish |
real multilayer wood |
n/a |
Available Colors |
Black, Wenge, Walnut |
Black |
Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Biamp Inputs |
Yes |
No |
Other |
|
|
Parts Warranty |
|
5 Years |
Labor Warranty |
|
5 Years |